St Michael's Church, Stinsford Heritage

There is no Dorset church more closely connected with the architect and writer, Thomas Hardy, than Stinsford. He was born at Higher Bockhampton in the parish in 1840 and his last home at Max Gate is only about a mile away. He had wanted to be buried in the churchyard, but a grateful nation thought otherwise and his ashes lie in Westminster Abbey and only his heart is buried in the churchyard.

The chancel, north and south arcade of the nave are early 13th century, the west tower was added early in the 14th century and the west wall of the south aisle appears to have been rebuilt at this time. The south aisle is mainly of the 15th centruy with the north aisle being rebuilt in 1630 and considerably altered in the 19th century.

The musicians gallery, used in Thomas Hardy's time by village musicians has recently been rebuilt.

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